Recently I got an AOL account. I had a fun time loosing
time on-line and met a lot of really nice people. Apparently some of them
decided to play a very old game with me called "FEAR". It's not a real
fun game but it has it moments of interest. Especially the 'live drama' that is
taking place. The following email apparently refers to one of the several
hundred folks that I have communicated with in the AOL artists cafes and
metaphysics rooms. I tried really hard to guess to whom this refers but am
unable to resolve this. Perhaps you might have some clue.

Despite my efforts to communicate my concerns and
dislike of the harassment to AOL, it continues. The last message was received
April 23. The harassment started Mar 28. I followed all AOL guidelines in
reporting the incidents. I especially find interesting
that I have yet to get a personal and meaningful response from either AOL or the
originator of the letters. As long as this continues, I will be adding pages of
the transcripts/dialogue of The Council, AOL and myself. I suspect that the AOL
user responsible for the harassment, may have initiated getting my email to AOL
blocked. Requests to AOL about the blocked email have not been responded to. I
will continue to try and use AOL processes to help 'resolve' this issue, but if
past actions by AOL are any indicator of future 'actions', AOL will probably
cancel my AOL account hoping that then, maybe I will not have any complaints
about AOL users harassing me and stalking others in their 'cyber space'

The first page is a series of 4
messages sent via email to my AOL account and to this WEB site. AOL was
contacted and the only action AOL has taken so far is to block email from my WEB
site. I suppose AOL believes that if I can't send them email concerning the
harassment by their user that the problem goes away. I don't think AOL ever
considered that I would publish the threats and AOL non-existent and meaningless
actions/response to the concerns of their customer (me).

The second page is a
continuation of the harassment and includes responses from AOL. Not included are
the bounced email attempts to report this harassment to abuse at AOL..com. Seems
AOL keeps it's mailbox full so that users non-AOL customers won't bother them
with complaints about AOL user harassment. .I am enclosing my requests to AOL
for action and AOL responses to my request. It's really good for a laugh,
considering how many stalkers and harassers must be able to find a haven in AOL

The third page is a
continuation of the harassment received 6/27/97. This has been happening now for
3 months and AOL just lets it slide. I still can not send email to AOL because
they have blocked my WEB site. The harasser has had a grand time and AOL fully
supports their actions (at least for the past 3 months).

Also of interest is the blatant
'stalking/watching' this AOL user refers to in the threats. I believe that I
have discovered the AOL user 'referred to' as the 'Other' in the messages.
Amazingly, AOL has done nothing about this even though I sent them information
that directly linked the 'Other' with a 'person' who is stalking her in cyber
and physical reality. AOL probably considers this a 'minor' issue and seems
willing to allow this user to continue their harassment and stalking. As noted
in the latest message, they are now 'watching/stalking' others.

Since this began, I have limited my
on-line communication to three people. And occasional chats in the artist and
metaphysics rooms. All of these three people are older than 30yrs and live in
Colorado, California, and Oregon. All but one of them I have been friends with
since Jan 1997 or earlier. It is unlikely that the 'others' referenced' in the
messages have anything to do with me, yet this 'AOL user' seems to justify their
stalking of AOL users by sending me threats.

If you or someone you know would be interested in
publishing this material or interviewing for for an article, please contact me
atinforepasky@flickerlight.org I would be glad
to help publicize the environment AOL is providing for folks who have a desire
to harass and stalk others. Perhaps, AOL might take it seriously, and even if
AOL does nothing, I believe that my experience is not an 'isolated' case and
that children and young adults are being exposed to 'cyber stalking' because AOL
does not or can not manage it's users and provide a safe and reasonably secure
environment for children and young adults.

NOTE: do not try this yourself, AOL may
eventually cancel your account.
How to stalk using AOL services. This is not an endorsement nor does it suggest
anyone do this. It is merely the technique that an AOL user is using to 'harass'
me (mild stalking)

Apparently AOL permits it users to do this sort of
thing. Complaints to AOL have resulted in no response lately. Seems to do this
all one needs to do is to create a new screen name each time and be sure to
'cancel' the new screen name before allowing anyone to respond. Then just email
your threats to anyone you wish.

( All from original text circa 1998.)
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